The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-13
Proceedings of the House.

WASHINGTON, Lee. lZ.-4r. Springer pre-
seated the petition of Owen. g. Chase who
claim TO be eieleete6 from the Territory nt
Cimarron, commonly known as tbs Pnb.ic-land
Strip. In his petition Mr.. Chase details the ef-
fo.ts OF the people of the Territory-ten thou
sand in number-who were without the protec-
ton of local or general laws. TO form provis-
ional council and Territorial government and
the success which had attended them.
Mr.. Springer offered a resolution referring ths
petition of Mr.. Chase to the committee on Ter
ritories, when appointed, and extending the
privileges of the floor to that gentleman until
the appointment of the committee.
MIR. Peters urged the necessity OF some Iegis-
lation touching No-mans Land, which at pres
out of the pale OF United States Law.
He said that Mr. Chase desired to have the
privilege of the floor, that members who
wished for information relative to the Territory
might receive it without having to go to the
lobby meet Mr. Chase.
Mr. Blount inc uired whether the Territory OF
Cimarron had been recognized by the United
States.
Mr. Springer replied that It had not but re-
called the fast that California had NOT been rec.
oenized until after il had formed q provisional
government.
ing the admission of California had given rise to
infinite trouble. and he did not think that . con-
test as to a Territory in future should be
brought up in the House for the adoption of any
rules.
Mr.. Blount took the same view Of the case.
and opposed the latter part OF Mr. Springar's
resolution.
Mr. jackson thought that it was not conteu-
plated that this small strip of land should be
organized into Territory and admitted as
State. and he regarded it IS dangerous to admit
to the floor a gentleman who was here in the
character of lobbyist
After further brief discussion the resolution
and petition were laid on the table.
Mr.. Burrows offered a resolution requesting
the Secretary of War to cause an examination
to be made of the harbor OF st. Joseph. Mich,
with view of finding what further improve.
ments are needed Referred.
Speaker Carlisle, having called upon Mr..
Crisp to preside over the House, stepped down
upon the floor and addressed the Chair as fol-
lows:
It is well known that there is contest pending
which makes It improper for me. a. presiding officer
of the House TO appoint the committee elections
have left the chair therefore for the purpose Of
asking the House TO excuse me from tho performance
of that duty and take such IN this matter
its Judgment may dictate. / have suggestions
to make except to that the formation OF the other
committees of the House win befaeilitated by having
this matter disposed of at the earliest day that will
suit the convenience of the members.
Mr.. Holman offered resolution that the
House i'll, at l o'clock tomorrow, proceed to
elect fifteen members who will constitute the
committee on elections for the present session.
that there was any necessity for the Speaker tn
abdieate his usual functions He, for one, be-
lieved that the Speaker better informed
about the membership of the House than any
sponsibie for the character OF the com mittees.
The embarrassment under which the Speaker
labored arose from a single contest involving
his own title, and he mr. Turnerl thought that
the Speaker should be relieved from the en-
barrassment of appointing the tribunal which
was to consider his That far the
Speaker and the House should 60. He. there
FORE offered as a bstitute for Mr.. Homan's
resolution. resolution providing for the cleo
ton by the House of a spscial conn mittee to hear
and decide upon the Thoebe- Carlisle contest
This, he said. would permit the Speaker TO ap-
point the committee which would try all other
election contests
The substitute was rejected. and Mr.. Hol-
mans resolution adopted
Mr. Lawler offered resolution calling on the
Secretary of the Treasury for information a. to
whether the amount realized from the internal
revenue tax of two cents q pound on oleo-
margarine is necessary for present or future
revenues OF the government, and whether the
abroeation of that tar would benefcially dmin.
ish the treasury surplus; also whether it ap-
pears affirmativeiy that the imposition OF tho
oieomargarine tax operates to prevent the
sumner from using food product oeleterious to
the pub health. Also. whether the i'm position
of this tax Is not in contravention OF the views
of tho President as expressed.in his message.
On motion of Mr. Mills, the resolution was
laid upon the table.
A number of propositions to amend the rules
were submitted, to be referred. and the House
adjourned.
The Democratic Representatives, In csueus
chose thA following gentlemen to constitute thl